By Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

New transit service now available in Country Meadows

Feb 12, 2019 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge has launched additional transit service in one of its newer subdivisions.

According to a notice from the city, Lethbridge Transit route 37 has expanded for service in the Country Meadows neighborhood.

A new bus stop is on the south side of Country Meadows Boulevard, just east of the roundabout.

“Once Metis Trail was completed, we had a number of requests for transit operations, from people who were living in that subdivision, to get access. Once Metis Trail was completed, we were able to do that,” said Mike Ross, Transit System Operations Supervisor with the City of Lethbridge.

The route runs Monday through Friday with buses every 30 minutes, starting at 5:45 a.m., and ending at 11:15 p.m. from the University of Lethbridge.

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Ross said the aim going forward is to “reach as many people as we (the city’s transit) can”.

“We’re always looking for efficiencies within the current service, because of course, as you can imagine, transit is quite a cost. So really, it’s about being more efficient rather than (expanding),” he added.

The bus arrives at the new Country Meadows stop at around 25 and 55 minutes past the hour.

Bus service is also available on Saturdays, operating every 30 minutes from 7:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. and every hour on Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Residents and guests in the city can plan their trip through the city’s website.

A mobile app is also available for on-the-go schedule access.

TRANSIT UPGRADES

Ross touched on the new transit terminal being built in the city’s downtown.

“It’s known as the regional park and ride. So, instead of the bus terminal being out on 4th Avenue, some time in the summer, it will be moving around the corner on to 5th Street between 7th and 8th Street, and there will be multi-level parking for the citizens of Lethbridge,” he said.

“The transit terminal will be inside, which will make it better for our customers because they’ll be inside waiting. They won’t have to cross the street. Right now, depending on which buses they’re catching, they have to cross roads and that can cause some delays. This way, if one bus is parked on one side of the building, they arrive say on 5th Avenue and have to change buses, they can actually walk through the building. Again, another efficiency that we’re providing and improved safety.”

Ross said an official date for the opening of the new facility is not yet set, but he’s hoping it will be ready in July or August, 2019.

COLD WEATHER

Ross said that the winter season hasn’t been too tough on the transit service, even with the recent streak of colder temperatures.

“Nothing beyond what we would normally expect,” he said.

“When you look at this winter compared to the last two, you know, we had five or six months. It sort of started in October and November with the cold weather. This year, not so much, it’s really only been into February. (We have seen) nothing out of the ordinary.”